In the Long Run

I was shocked to hear that my pickleball doubles partner was in the hospital. To be honest, once I heard that her medical emergency would only be a temporary condition, my relief turned to concern of how her sidelining condition affected me. Cheryl would not be able to be my partner in the state Senior Olympics Games.

OK, I consoled myself, I still have singles and mixed doubles. And imagine how she feels. She can’t play at all. Then I learned that there would be no bracket in my age division for singles, because Cheryl and I had been the only entrants, and also that I would miss the mixed doubles event because it conflicted with a funeral I wanted to attend. Now I did know how Cheryl felt. I was highly disappointed.

The pickleball venue for the Senior Olympics was the YMCA where I work, and T.J., a co-worker, was in charge of the event. He came up to me on the morning of the pickleball events, and said, “I put you in the women’s doubles bracket anyway. Better find yourself a partner.” “But who?” I questioned desperately. We both saw Pat, an athletic woman, going into an office down the hall. Bingo!

Pat is 60, but looks mid-40’s, and is a fierce racquetball player. She had played a few games of pickleball about a year ago, but quit when it threw off her racquetball game. “I don’t even know the pickleball rules anymore!” she protested, when I pressed her to be my partner. I promised to give instructions as we played, and she sportingly agreed to participate.

We only played two games, and I tried to be both player and coach. “Stay back after the serve! Charge the net after your return! Let the ball bounce on both sides! Poach, poach! Now…now…overhead smash!” Pat was pretty amazing for someone with so little experience, and we managed to push one game to extra points past the usual 11. But in the end, we did not win either game.

I heard many times from various participants during the Senior Olympics, “we’re here to have fun!” And it was fun. It was also quite inspiring to see the determination and spirit of the different athletes that competed. I started a 10k race alongside a 76-year old woman who had entered over 10 events. I saw a 68-year old man coolly shoot 25 for 25 in the free throw event. And I marveled at the skill and spryness of an octogenarian table tennis player. This mettle, and the friendly sportsmanship of people like Pat, are what made my first Senior Olympics a memorable occasion.

Posted by Cyppy at 5:24 PM